The Cooling-Off Rule

When you buy something at a store and later change your mind, you may not be able to return the merchandise. But if you buy an item in your home or at a location that is not the main or permanent place of business or local address of the seller, the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Cooling-Off Rule gives you 3 days to cancel purchases of $25 or more. With the Cooling-Off Rule, your opportunity to cancel for a full refund extends until midnight of the third business day following the sale.

Locations not considered the seller's place of business include temporarily rented rooms, restaurants, and home "parties." The Cooling-Off Rule applies even if you invite the salesperson to make a presentation in your home, unless the sale is covered under the exemptions noted below.

Under the Cooling-Off Rule, the salesperson must orally inform you of your cancellation rights at the time of sale. The salesperson also must give you 2 copies of a cancellation form (1 to keep and one to send) and a copy of your contract or receipt. The contract or receipt should be dated, show the name and address of the seller, and explain your right to cancel. The contract or receipt must be in the same language as that used in the sales presentation.

Some Exceptions

Some types of sales cannot be cancelled even if they do occur in your home. The Cooling-Off Rule does not cover sales that:

Are under $25

Are not goods or services primarily intended for personal, family or household purposes. (The Rule does apply to courses of instruction or training regardless of the purpose for which they are taken)

Are made entirely by mail or telephone

Are the result of prior negotiations made by you at the seller's permanent business location where the goods are regularly sold

Are needed to meet an emergency, such as the sudden appearance of insects in your home, and you write and sign an explanation waiving your right to cancel

Are made as part of your request for the seller to perform repairs or maintenance on your personal property (although, any purchase made beyond the maintenance or repair request is covered)

Involve real estate, insurance, or securities

Are of automobiles sold at temporary locations, provided the seller has at least one permanent place of business

Involve arts and crafts sold at fairs or other locations, such as shopping malls, civic centers, and schools

How to Cancel

To cancel a sale, sign and date one copy of the cancellation form. Then mail it to the address given for cancellation so that the envelope is post-marked before midnight of the third business day after the contract date. (Saturday is considered a business day but Sundays and most federal holidays are not.) Because proof of the mailing date and proof of receipt are important, consider sending the cancellation form by certified mail so you can get a return receipt. If you prefer, you may hand deliver the cancellation notice before midnight. Keep the other copy of the cancellation form for your records.

If you are not given cancellation forms, you can write your own cancellation letter, but remember it also must be post-marked within 3 business days of the sale. Again, for proof of mailing, consider sending your letter by certified mail. Further, let the FTC know that you were not given the required cancellation forms.

You do not have to give a reason for canceling your purchase. Under the law, you have a right to change your mind.

What the Seller Must Do If You Cancel

If you cancel your purchase, the seller must, within 10 days:

Cancel and return any papers you signed

Refund all your money and tell you whether any product left with you will be picked up

Return any trade-in

Within 20 days, the seller must either pick up the items left with you, or, if you agree to send back the items, reimburse you for mailing expenses. If you do not make the items available to the seller or if you agree to return the items but fail to do so, then you remain obligated under the contract

What to Do About Problems

One of the best safeguards against problems in this area is to take your time when you buy and to make sure you really want what you purchase. However, if you have a complaint about sales practices that involve the Cooling-Off Rule, write: Correspondence Branch, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580.

You also may wish to contact a consumer protection office in your city, county, or state. Some state laws give you even more rights than the FTC's Cooling-Off Rule, and some local consumer offices can help you with your complaint.

In addition, if you paid for your purchase with a credit card and a billing dispute arises about the purchase (for example, if the merchandise shipped was not what you ordered, or if you cancelled the purchase within three days under the FTC's Cooling-Off Rule), you can notify the credit card company that you have a dispute over the purchase. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, the credit card company must acknowledge your dispute in writing and conduct a reasonable investigation of your problem. You may withhold payment of the amount in dispute, until the dispute is resolved. (You are still required to pay any part of your bill that is not in dispute.) To protect your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you must send a written notice about the problem to the credit card company at the address for billing disputes specified on your billing statement within 60 days after the first bill containing the disputed amount is mailed to you.

If the 60-day period has expired or if your dispute concerns the quality of the merchandise purchased, you may have other rights under the Act. If you have questions about the Fair Credit Billing Act, write for the free brochure Fair Credit Billing. Write: Public Reference, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580.